What is a ghost town? Is it merely an abandoned settlement, a relic of the past, or is it something more enduring? With her road-trip companion, a dog named Woody Guthrie, Lauren Hough drives across Texas to find out. In this Texas Highways essay—which is full of dust, wanderlust, and wonder—Hough encounters the ruins of forgotten places, but also two dreamers determined to bring one such town back to life.
The Schaffers show me where they plan to build, the gardens they’ve started, the roof they’re trying to save over the tourist court. They want to rebuild the old hotel as a museum. To raise funds, they host ghost tours, hayrides, and even a 10K race. They offer stargazing nights and welcome RVers to camp. They may have planned a homestead, but what they’ve found is a mission—to save Jericho.
More picks from Texas Highways
Friends in Low Places
“At the buda wiener dog races, big personalities come in small packages.”
Gone in Seven Seconds
“Racing pigeons hightail it home in competitions across the state.”
The Outlaw Tradition of Noodling for Catfish
“The secretive, centuries-old outlaw tradition of noodling reaches its peak every summer at a Lake Tawakoni tournament with the kings of catfish.”
Amarillo by Morning
“Revisiting an act of kindness in the high plains.”
One Man’s Quest to Transform the West Texas Desert
“An urban dweller ventures to far West Texas with a dream to transform a barren desert into a lush forest.”
Braving the Narrows
“An avid hiker embarks on a ‘water walk’ to explore one of Texas’ most mythic oases.”
